What Camera Settings Does Brandon Woelfel Use

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Instagram Star Brandon Woelfel Creates Whimsical Images

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/ane.4G, 1/160 second, f/ane.4, ISO 160, Manual exposure, Matrix metering. Planting Fields Arboretum. Model: @Taylorkaelin.

Some photographers spend their unabridged careers searching for a signature style. Brandon Woelfel—a young, and enormously popular Instagram influencer—found his style early on and has become an Internet sensation as a result.

"It's been so crazy to run across myself and career abound in such a curt amount of time," he says, noting that his career began correct after college a piffling more than two years ago when he proclaimed his desire to piece of work as a freelance lensman.

Now with over 2 one thousand thousand followers on Instagram and a photo book to his name, it certainly appears information technology was a chance worth taking.

To achieve this, Brandon notes that his whimsical images—which feature distinct soft tones and pops of brightly colored hues likewise as some magical post-processing—non simply capture a sense of wonder, but also reflects a residuum of professional passion and a keen sense of what will attract new followers online.

"Since my first works were shared on social media I recollect there's always the awareness that I'll be sharing the images to an audience. With that being said, I've definitely been able to extend my creativity to a level of utter passion while keeping in mind my audience," he notes.

He quickly adds that Nikon equipment—such equally the D850 DSLR and AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G lens that Nikon recently provided him with for a project—give him the ability to capture such dynamic images.

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/one.4G, one/500 second, f/1.four, ISO 160, manual exposure, Matrix metering. Spending a day at the Planting Fields Arboretum State Park, Taylor and I set up out to capture some enchanting imagery among the various greenhouses the historic park offered. Model: @Taylorkaelin.

"I've been shooting exclusively with Nikon's prime number lenses ever since I started photography almost v years agone. While consistently being on the go, I bear all of my gear with me on my back. The prime lenses execute an incomparable level of quality and sharpness without bearing the extra bulk that comes with some other zoom lenses," he says.

"For some time at present I accept been looking into the key features of both the D850 body and the 58mm f/ane.4, and they admittedly did not disappoint. The versatility of the D850 equated with the crisp focusing range that the 58mm brought was unmatched to anything else in my collection," he adds.

He concludes: "I hope to go on to create the art that makes me the happiest while meeting a lot of new creative people along the fashion. Ultimately, I would like my photography to convey a sudden spark of inspiration that influences others to go out and create."

D850, AF-Southward NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G, i/160 second, f/i.4, ISO 320, transmission exposure, Matrix metering. For this particular shot, Charlotte and I attended The Dream Automobile—an interactive playground inspired by dreams and made for reality. Model: @Charlottemckee.

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G, 1/500 2d, f/1.4, ISO 1250, transmission exposure, Matrix metering. With spring in total bloom (when this image was shot) it is always so enjoyable to lookout man out the most prismatic sets of flowers to construct an ordinary concept into one that pops with colors.

Giving Props to the Props

One of Brandon'due south signature techniques is the apply of unique props and elements he incorporates into his images.

For example, he often manipulates his shots by filtering natural light through different types of prisms—such as crystal ball prisms, triangular prisms and teardrop prisms—to create a rainbow effect on the bailiwick. When held in front end of the lens, the prisms create a unique blur in the foreground of his images.

He explains: "Originally seeing how other photographers were able to effortlessly bend and manipulate light, I had to try using prisms. With a prism's abounding corporeality of uses, I am constantly finding new ways to incorporate them into my photos."

Rainbow suncatchers piece of work well for this effect too. For night shoots without available natural lite, bouncing the light from a smartphone's flashlight off of the dorsum of a CD is another pick he uses.

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/ane.4E ED, 1/320 2nd, f/one.four, ISO 1600, transmission exposure, Matrix metering. Creating or waiting for the right light to shoot with is essential for whatever photographer. For this image, we awaited the gilded flares of the dominicus to subside then we could play with the soft blue hues of the evening heaven. Model: @Charlottemckee.

Brandon will use other foreground objects to give the illusion of more depth in his shots.

In ane prototype he took at the Planting Fields Arboretum State Park in Oyster Bay, NY, he held a leaf up to the lens that added a blurry, textural outcome in the foreground. A trip to The Dream Motorcar (interactive feel) in Brooklyn inspired Brandon to employ a blurred cloud prop in a like fashion, adding depth and a dream-similar feel to the shot.

Some of his images besides reverberate a penchant for eyeglasses.

He explains: "My appreciation for featuring eyeglasses throughout my work has arrived from my love to experiment with how calorie-free reflects off of different surfaces. Framing a model while displaying these glasses has added to the fantastical look."

He concludes: "As a photographer my goal is for the viewer to be able to relate to the story being told. I'grand and then lucky to take an audience across social media that so actively connects with the work that I present."

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G, 2.5 seconds, f/1.4, Manual exposure, Matrix metering. Simply shot in a driveway via my "How to Take Photos at Night" video, this image illustrates a long exposure of a sparklers trail that also features my photo volume 'Luminescence.' Model: @Taylorkaelin.

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G, i/200 second, f/1.4, ISO 800, manual exposure, Matrix metering. For this item shot, Charlotte and I attended The Dream Machine—an interactive playground inspired by dreams and made for reality. This imaginative experience in the centre of Brooklyn was perfectly paired with my whimsical style of shooting. Model: @Charlottemckee.

A Pro'southward Process

Much like his original leap into photography, it could exist said that Brandon likes to see how his images will develop—then to speak.

"My favorite images seem to come from the natural improvisation that plays off myself and the subject I am shooting!" he says, adding that a substantial part of his image creation is done organically while on location.

"I've as well started using Nikon'south Pic Control in camera and information technology has been a huge help for allowing me to farther recognize how the final image will look," he says.

He likewise offers some additional advice for any beginner photographers.

"Shooting in RAW (Nikon'southward NEF file format) is definitely among ane of my most important tips for photographers simply starting out. The benefit of shooting in RAW is to record all of the image'south data from the sensor which allows you to exist more than in control of how the final epitome will await in mail service."

He too offers insight into his process on Instagram and his website by providing a section of before-and-afterwards images.

"Earlier-and-later images have definitely get a highly requested [ask] from my audience. I believe showcasing them helps beginners better sympathize how I get about my artistic procedure."

D850, AF-Southward NIKKOR 35mm f/i.4G, 1/320 second, f/1.4, ISO 1600, manual exposure, Matrix Metering. As I stuck around for bluish hr to go far, the streets of where I was shooting in Ocean City became hazy which made for soft tones and great leading lines.

He's likewise produced an online tutorial with a YouTube video that discusses how to take photos at night. [Ringlet to the bottom of this page to view the video. —Editor]

This is another way for him to interact, and give back to his followers, and to brand his process just as much virtually his final product every bit it is in helping other photographers create theirs likewise.

"I'm very grateful that so many people resonate with the images I create and I imagine that the level of post-production is evident in my work. I'm looking to offer images that are eye communicable and something the viewer could feasibly desire to recreate on their ain," he says.

To maximize the creativity and reach of his shots, he's also collaborated with YouTube sensations, many of whom are influencers in their own correct—besides as other creative friends who model in his images.

"I've definitely noticed that when an image is created by a minor squad of people the results and quality is evident. Whether it be myself and a model or a group of creators working together, being able to bounciness ideas off one another is and then of import for the process!"

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/ane.4E ED, 1/250 second, f/i.4, ISO 1000, manual exposure, Matrix metering. After making our way into the city ensuing our blueish hour shots at the due east river pier, we stumbled upon a restaurant's outdoor lighting. Model: @Charlottemckee.

Instant Success

So how did Brandon concenter such a vast post-obit online? Just, he had a articulate vision.

"Remaining devoted to what I create and post—while interacting and connecting with the people that support my work—is how I've grown beyond social platforms and equally an artist," he says.

"Now, two years later on I began I am working full-time equally my ain boss, creating every unmarried twenty-four hour period to farther establish myself in the industry."

To that end, Brandon has started to add another unique chemical element to his shots: Himself.

"I've but recently adult an appreciation for not merely being backside the lens, only in front of it too! I retrieve it's go an essential part of beingness able to connect with my audience who has been following my piece of work for so long," he says.

In the end, he offers advice for photographers aspiring to become Internet influencers.

"Always keep creating. Equally you continue to produce the work that you personally find interesting, you'll gain a priceless corporeality of experience that volition manifest into your art and your audition," he concludes.

D850, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/one.4G, 1/640 2nd, f/ane.iv, ISO 1250, manual exposure, Matrix metering. As a celebratory bid to the beginning of summertime, I grabbed some friends to experiment with the abrupt nature of capturing sparklers.

How To Take Photos at Night | Brandon Woelfel – Watch the video for some of Brandon'southward favorite tips for nighttime photography.